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News Photo by Crystal Nelson
Carl Seiter (far left) superintendent for Hillman Community Schools and Atlanta Community Schools, addresses the Hillman school board on Monday.
HILLMAN The Hillman Community Schools Board of Education on Monday decided it did not want to further explore consolidation with Atlanta Community Schools.
The board rejected further exploration of consolidation in a 5 to 1 vote, with Kelly Burwell, the board’s president, casting the dissenting vote.
Trustee Shanna Firman did not attend the meeting.
Burwell said she opposed the decision because she believes there are opportunities not only for students, but also for taxpayers if the two districts were to consolidate. She said the schools could expand their curriculum without losing jobs because staff could fit into other roles.
Recent actions by boards of education in Northeast Michigan.
∫ The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education voted six-to-one to join the lawsuit against the vaping company Juul and other vaping manufacturers for marketing electronic cigarettes to students.
Trustee Eric Lawson cast the dissenting vote, saying he wanted more information on the lawsuit. He said the lawsuit casted a wide net, and he wanted to know which other companies were being sued because he was afraid they may be suing manufacturers who haven’t done anything wrong.
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction Meaghan Gauthier said disciplining students caught with vaping devices involves a lot of administrative costs.